cist etymology

Etymology

The word "cist" is derived from the Latin word "cista," which means "box" or "basket." The Latin word is thought to have originated from the Greek word "κίστη" (kiste), which also means "box" or "basket."

Meaning and Origin

In archaeology, a cist is a small, box-shaped structure made of stone or wood that is used to bury the dead. Cists have been found in various cultures and time periods around the world, dating back to the Neolithic era.

Types of Cists

There are several types of cists, including:

• Stone cists: Built using stone slabs or blocks, often with a cover stone or lid.
• Wooden cists: Constructed using wooden planks or logs.
• Bronze cists: Made from sheet bronze or hammered bronze plates.
• Earthen cists: Built using clay or earth, sometimes with a stone lining.

Function

Cists were primarily used for burials, although they may have also served other purposes, such as storage or ritual practices. The deceased were typically placed inside the cist in a crouched or flexed position, along with grave goods such as pottery, tools, or jewelry.

Distribution

Cists have been found in various parts of the world, including Europe, Asia, and the Americas. They are particularly common in regions with a history of megalithic construction, such as the British Isles and Scandinavia.

cist relate terms

• chest

  Etymology Middle English cheste chist Old English ċēst Proto Germanic kastiz Pro

• refrain

  Etymology Old French refraindre Medieval Latin refrangere Latin re back frang

• staff

  Etymology The word staff comes from the Old English word stæf which meant a stick

• dispense

  Etymology Dispense derives from the Late Latin word dispensare meaning to weigh out

• Jehovah

  Etymology The name Jehovah is an Anglicization of the Hebrew name Yahweh יהוה

• conflict

  Etymology The word conflict derives from the Latin word conflictus which means a st

• corroborate

  Etymology Latin corrobōrāre con together with roborāre to strengthen

• resent

  Etymology The word resent comes from the Latin verb resentire which means to feel a

• flamboyant

  Etymology The word flamboyant is derived from the Old French word flamboier meaning

• mollycoddle

  Etymology Mollycoddle is ultimately derived from the Old Irish feminine name Muirgel

• suffrage

  Etymology Middle English suffrage c 1440 Anglo French suffrage 13th century La